In the days and weeks leading up to the conclusion of the summer transfer period, some members of the media and football experts have commented that Louis van Gaal most likely “regretted” taking the job at Manchester United and/or didn’t understand the scale of the task in front of him.

Speaking to the Daily Mirror, United’s new boss insisted that he has no regrets about taking on the job and he chose the twenty-time champions of England because they presented “the biggest challenge”.

“No, I don’t regret taking this job,” Van Gaal told the Daily Mirror. “Yes, it is a massive job I have taken on at Manchester United. I realize that.”

“And the situation is not worse that I thought – I knew what I would find on my plate.”

“I could have opted for an easier job. If I had gone to Tottenham, the job would not have been as enormous as here at United.”

“I could have easily gone to Spurs. But I chose the biggest challenge of all the jobs in football. And I really wanted to join the number one club in the country, not Tottenham.”

“Financially, Tottenham was kind of as attractive as Man United. But in my eyes, Man United is still the number one club in England, Tottenham really is not.”

Van Gaal went on to say that he has been impressed by the backing of the United board, considering his previous experience at Bayern Munich when the Dutch boss was asked for “an explanation” by club president Uli Hoeness, following the German giants slow start.

“My start at Bayern was just as bad as my start with Manchester United. But the difference was that at Bayern I had already been called in for a major showdown with Uli Hoeness, who wanted an explanation,” Van Gaal said.

“And what have United done? They have bought more players for me. They kept buying players.”

“They are supporting me. That is a sign of trust in the manager. I feel that. I feel their trust and belief in my ability.”

“It is not just a matter of believing in my football philosophy, but in me as a person too.”

Van Gaal was then asked if he gets worried when he looks at the league table (with United sitting in 14th place).

“Do I get worried when I look at the league table now? Come off it. That means nothing. We have only just started.”

“And the facts are that I have never let any clubs down. I have won things. I have given those clubs success. And that is exactly what I will do here at United.”

The 63-year-old boss then reiterated something that he professed upon his arrival at Old Trafford.

“I want to end my big coaching career here, at Manchester United. I really want to bring the championship here to the people of Man United.”

About The Author

Although a college basketball coach for sixteen years on the NCAA Division I and II levels, Peter has been an avid football fan for more than half his life. He considers himself a student of coaching and team management.
As well as coaching, Peter has spent time working in Sports Information at various colleges and universities. His articles on European football have been picked up by Bleacher Report UK, International Business Times UK and USA Today.
Twitter: @CoachPeteQuinn